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Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3

Blessings of Chastity

"Lesson 26: Blessings of Chastity," Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3, 104

OBJECTIVE

Each young man will understand that he must guard the sacred power of procreation and not abuse it.

PREPARATION

SUGGESTED LESSON DEVELOPMENT

Introduction

Discussion

Explain that some things are great blessings when used appropriately, but when misused, they become dangerous and destructive.

Answers may include things like the following. You might share one or more of these examples in order to help the young men understand.

Adviser presentation

Explain that the power of procreation is like these things. When used properly, this sacred power can help us be more like God. If we use it improperly or carelessly, we may lose our exaltation.

Knowing that the proper use of the procreative power can help exalt us and its misuse can condemn us, Heavenly Father has commanded us to protect this power. Satan knows that misuse of this power can destroy us, so he tries to convince us that it is old-fashioned to be sexually pure and that casual or promiscuous sexual activity brings popularity and happiness.

Scriptures and discussion

Have a young man read Exodus 20:14. Suggest that the young men mark this verse.

Have the young men read Matthew 5:27-28 and Doctrine and Covenants 42:22-24. Suggest that they mark key words in these passages.

Explain that "cast out" means excommunicated.

Have a young man read Alma 39:3-5.

Explain that since sexual sin is so serious, we should guard the power of procreation with great care.

Satan Attacks Chastity

Quotation

President Harold B. Lee wrote, "When you are prompted to immodesty in dress or to unclean or obscene speech or brazen conduct in your courtship, you are playing Satan's game and are becoming the victim of his lying tongue" (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye in Holy Places [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974], p. 332).

Chalkboard discussion

List the young men's responses on the chalkboard. Answers might include the following:

Tools of Satan

Obscene or suggestive movies and television programs
The idea of sexual "freedom"
Peer pressure
Alcohol and drugs
Obscene music and lyrics
Immodest clothes and actions
Pornographic books and magazines

 

The following material describes the dangers of some things that weaken and destroy chastity. You might want to use this material as you discuss the young men's responses.

Am I Being Influenced?

Thought questions

Ask the young men to think about the following questions:

Point out that a "yes" answer to any of these questions reveals a problem. Encourage the young men to refrain from these harmful activities and to set specific goals to change their habits if necessary.

Quotation

Remind the young men that the prophets have counseled us to avoid all these things. President Ezra Taft Benson said the following:

"Young men of the Aaronic Priesthood, remember the scriptural injunction 'Be ye clean who bear the vessels of the Lord' (3 Nephi 20:41; D&C 38:42; see also Isaiah 52:11.) Remember the story of Joseph in Egypt, who hearkened not to the wife of Potiphar and maintained his purity and virtue (see Gen. 39:6-20).

"Consider carefully the words of the prophet Alma to his errant son, Corianton, 'Forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes' (Alma 39:9).

" 'The lusts of your eyes.' In our day, what does that expression mean?

"Movies, television programs, and video recordings that are both suggestive and lewd.

"Magazines and books that are obscene and pornographic.

"We counsel you, young men, not to pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterward. Don't see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive, or pornographic. Don't listen to music that is degrading" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, p. 58; or Ensign, May 1986, p. 45).

Emphasize that the young men must not be deceived by the loose moral standards that are so prevalent today. Although they seem modern, these standards are not new at all. "New morality" is just another name for the old immorality that Satan has taught for thousands of years.

Testify that the prophets know what it is like to be young. They are aware of the challenges and temptations young people face today. Explain that the Lord has revealed standards that will help protect us from sin and danger.

Discussion and For the Strength of Youth

Distribute the copies of For the Strength of Youth. With the young men, read and discuss the sections titled "Standards," "Dating,""Dress and Appearance,""Media,""Music and Dancing," and "Sexual Purity."

Note to teacher

It is very important that the young men in your class understand the terms and warnings in For the Strength of Youth. This may be an appropriate time to answer their questions about the standards. Remind the young men that if they have violated some of these standards, they should repent immediately. Promise them that the Lord will forgive anyone who sincerely repents.

Adviser presentation and quotation

Emphasize the blessings that come to those who keep themselves pure and worthy. The greatest of those blessings include the privilege of entering the temple and the opportunity to serve a mission.

Read and explain this statement from the First Presidency:

"Full-time missionary service is not a right, but a privilege for those who are called through inspiration by the First Presidency. ...

"To ensure the requisite worthiness, an individual who has committed serious transgression must have fully repented according to the criteria established by the Savior. The candidate must be completely worthy to enter the temple before being recommended for missionary service. ... The individual [must be] free of transgression for sufficient time to manifest true repentance and to prepare spiritually for a sacred mission call. This period could be as long as three years for multiple serious transgressions, and should not be less than a year from the most recent transgression" (see First Presidency letters dated 4 Mar. and 21 Oct. 1993).

Overcoming Temptation

Testimony

Testify that if we keep the commandments and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we will be able to live chaste lives. Heavenly Father has promised that he will give us the power to withstand temptation and keep his commandments.

Scriptures and discussion

Have the young men read and mark 1 Nephi 3:7 and 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Have the young men answer the following questions silently to themselves.

Have a young man read 2 Nephi 4:17-20, 31-32. Invite the young men to share their impressions about Nephi's words. Help them understand that everyone-even someone with as much faith as Nephi-needs Heavenly Father's help in overcoming temptation.

Have young men read Matthew 26:41 and 3 Nephi 18:15. Explain that these are the words of Jesus Christ.

Encourage the young men to pray for help in overcoming the specific temptations they face now.

The Steps to Sin or Perfection

Chalkboard discussion

Explain that Heavenly Father leads us toward perfection by giving us "line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little" (D&C 128:21). Satan uses similar methods to deceive us, leading us down step by step toward sin.

Quotation

President Spencer W. Kimball warned us about how Satan tries to destroy chastity.

"Too many have lost themselves completely in sin through this doorway of necking and petting. The devil knows how to destroy our young girls and boys. He may not be able to tempt a person to murder or to commit adultery immediately, but he knows that if he can get a boy and a girl to sit in the car late enough after the dance, or to park long enough in the dark at the end of the lane, the best boy and the best girl will finally succumb and fall. He knows that all have a limit to their resistance" (Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 66).

Erase the chalkboard and draw the following illustration:

The Iron Rod

Let the young men discover what the various parts of the drawing represent. Help them discover that-

Ask the young men to suggest steps that build moral strength and steps that destroy moral strength. List their answers on the chalkboard. The following illustration is an example:

The Iron Rod
Chastity
Respect for the opposite sex
Proper dating behavior
Wholesome activities
Clean thoughts
Seeking the Spirit of God

Seeing something that focuses on sex
Pondering immoral behavior
Pornography
Necking or petting
Adultery, fornication, or other immoral behavior

Conclusion

Testimony

Explain that men and women have been blessed with a power that allows them to be co-creators with God. Testify that the power of procreation is sacred and must be protected. Because of its sacredness, sexual intercourse should never be treated lightly. It is a sacred right granted to married men and women. Aaronic Priesthood young men should never joke about sex or talk crudely about it, no matter what other young men may do. The power of procreation should be used only within a marriage.

Challenge

Challenge the young men to hold with all their might to the word of God, which teaches chastity. Challenge them to seek the Spirit of the Lord so that they will treat young women with respect. Explain that they have a priesthood responsibility to protect the purity of all women. Heavenly Father also expects young men to protect and honor their own virtue. Testify again about the importance of the standards Heavenly Father has given us and about the great blessings that come to those who are pure. Encourage the young men to commit themselves now to be chaste throughout their lives.

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